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The effects of rumination on social anxiety: The role of negative self-beliefs GENG Li, FENG Qiuyang, LI Yu, QIU Jiang Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (5): 792-804.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0792 Abstract （6677）   HTML （795）    PDF （755KB）（11764）       Knowledge map    People sometimes recall social interactions, speculating on others' evaluations and opinions of themselves. When such thinking exceeds normal limits or is persistently accompanied by negative emotions, it becomes distressing, manifesting as rumination. Cognitive theories of social anxiety identify rumination as a pivotal factor in its onset and maintenance. Individuals engaged in rumination often form negative and pessimistic evaluations about themselves, with cognitive elements playing a crucial role. Sometimes, people develop distorted, counterfactual beliefs about themselves and others, termed negative self-beliefs, which are a type of adverse cognition and a core feature of social anxiety. Although the relationships among rumination, social anxiety, and negative self-beliefs have been theoretically discussed, empirical studies confirming their interaction mechanisms are lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore the significant role of negative self-beliefs in the relationship between rumination and social anxiety. The study conducted two experiments designed to provoke social anxiety and prompt participants to engage in state rumination, with the aim of monitoring and analyzing their subsequent emotional responses. Experiment 1 included 83 participants (26 males, 57 females; mean age 21.05 ± 2.15 years). The participants first underwent baseline measurements, followed by a 3-minute timed speech task to induce social anxiety. After this task, the participants were randomly divided into two groups to engage in either rumination or distraction imaging, with changes in negative self-beliefs and levels of social anxiety recorded before and after the tasks. Experiment 2 involved 51 participants (20 males, 31 females; mean age 20.14 ± 1.76 years). The experiment was conducted over two lab visits. In the first visit, the participants learned about and mastered the concepts of social anxiety and negative self-beliefs, recalled, and wrote down four previous social anxiety events and the negative self-beliefs associated with each event. During the second visit, the participants completed a keyboard response task, during which real-time emotional changes were recorded. They dealt with their negative self-beliefs according to the guidance provided under different psychological states of rumination or distraction and used various coping strategies (reacting, observing, and reevaluating) to address the presented negative self-beliefs. The results of the data analysis are as follows: Experiment 1 utilized repeated-measures ANOVA and mediation models based on change scores, revealing (1) significant positive correlations among rumination, social anxiety, and negative self-beliefs and (2) that rumination affects social anxiety by sustaining negative self-beliefs. Experiment 2, which used repeated-measures ANOVA, revealed that (1) rumination on social anxiety events triggered more negative emotions; (2) using distraction strategies to alleviate social anxiety resulted in a rebound of negative emotions; and (3) interventions targeting negative self-beliefs proved to be more effective in alleviating social anxiety. Both experiments validated and complemented each other, collectively elucidating the critical role of negative self-beliefs in the impact of rumination on social anxiety. In summary, this study explored the impact of rumination and negative self-beliefs on social anxiety, not only validating and enriching the cognitive theories of social anxiety at a theoretical level but also filling empirical gaps in the previous research. First, the experimental results clarify the mediating role of negative self-beliefs in the relationship between rumination and social anxiety, offering a new perspective for understanding the mechanisms underlying the onset and maintenance of social anxiety. This finding deepens our understanding of the interaction between rumination and social anxiety, enhancing theoretical models of social phobia and broadening cognitive models of the onset and maintenance of social anxiety disorders. Second, the research results provide a basis for developing new intervention measures. Given the significant role of negative self-beliefs in maintaining social anxiety, future interventions could focus on directly targeting these self-beliefs, offering new strategies for the clinical treatment of social anxiety. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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When AI “possesses” personality: Roles of good and evil personalities influence moral judgment in large language models JIAO Liying, LI Chang-Jin, CHEN Zhen, XU Hengbin, XU Yan Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (6): 929-946.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0929 Abstract （6137）   HTML （478）    PDF （1204KB）（11987）       Knowledge map    The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has raised significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding the moral decision-making capabilities of large language models (LLMs). One intriguing aspect is the potential for LLMs to exhibit characteristics akin to human personalities, which may influence the LLMs’ moral judgment. Understanding how personality traits, especially the moral traits, influence these decisions is crucial for developing AI systems that align with human ethical standards. Therefore, this study aims to explore how the roles of good and evil personalities shape the moral decision-making of LLMs, providing insights that are essential for the ethical development of AI. This study investigated the roles of good and evil personalities in shaping the moral decision-making of the ERNIE 4.0 and GPT-4. Good personality was characterized by traits such as conscientiousness and integrity, altruism and dedication, benevolence and amicability, and tolerance and magnanimity. Evil personality encompassed traits such as atrociousness and mercilessness, mendacity and hypocrisy, calumniation and circumvention, and faithlessness and treacherousness. Study 1 analyzed 4000 observations. Specific prompts corresponding to different personality dimensions were designed. After specifying the type of personality, ERNIE 4.0 completed a self-report scale for good and evil personalities, evaluated whether the descriptions matched the current personality traits and provided a numerical rating indicating the degree of agreement. Study 2 recruited 370 human participants and utilized 832 LLM observations, investigated the roles of good and evil personalities in shaping the moral decision-making of the LLMs and compared with human results. Significant score differences were observed across all eight personality dimensions, with high-level manipulations significantly higher than low-level manipulations. These results demonstrate LLMs’ ability to express levels of good and evil personality traits. A comparative analysis was conducted between human participants and LLMs to evaluate the impact of these traits on CAN model in Study 2. Results showed that the patterns of personality’s influence on moral judgment exhibited both similarities and differences between LLMs and humans. GPT-4's good personality manipulation aligns closely with human results, while ERNIE 4.0 scored higher than humans on sensitivity to consequences (C), sensitivity to moral norms (N), overall action/inaction preferences (A) parameters, and utilitarianism (U). GPT-4 demonstrated better moral alignment compared to ERNIE 4.0. Furthermore, a theoretical model of good and evil personality traits in LLMs was constructed within the domain of moral judgment. This study demonstrated that LLMs effectively simulated varying levels of good and evil personality traits through personality prompts, which significantly influenced their moral judgments. GPT-4’s moral judgments aligned more closely with humans under good personality prompts, while ERNIE 4.0 consistently scored higher than humans across moral judgment indicators. Under evil personality prompts, GPT-4 exhibited lower moral norm sensitivity and higher action tendency and utilitarianism. Additionally, the influence of personality on GPT-4’s moral judgment was stronger than on ERNIE 4.0. The impact of good and evil personalities on moral judgment showed hierarchical differences, with good personality traits, particularly conscientiousness, playing a more critical role in achieving human-AI alignment in moral judgments. This research provided valuable insights into enhancing AI ethical decision-making by integrating nuanced personality traits, guiding the development of more socially responsible AI systems. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Reciprocal associations between identity confusion and adolescent NSSI: The longitudinal mediation effect of alienation GU Honglei, YU Weiming, CHENG Yufang Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (2): 247-259.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0247 Abstract （4755）   HTML （708）    PDF （537KB）（5412）       Knowledge map    Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is defined as the deliberate, direct, and socially unacceptable destruction of one’s own body tissue without a conscious suicidal intent. This behavior has become a major public health problem among adolescents. The initial occurrence of NSSI and its subsequent peak periods often coincide with the identity crisis stage of adolescents. Identity confusion represents a sense of feeling “mixed up, ” that is, being unable to enact and maintain lasting commitments to life alternatives and lacking a clear sense of purpose and direction. Considerable evidence has linked identity confusion to NSSI. According to the identity-NSSI interplay model, NSSI may serve as a means of developing a sense of identity (i.e., “I am a self-injurer”), which goes against the common values and attitudes in society. The destabilization of a self-injurer may lead individuals to a further increased sense of identity diffusion. Based on this theory, the present study tested the bidirectional association between identity confusion and adolescents’ NSSI as well as the mediating role of alienation and the moderating role of gender in this association. A sample of 1258 Chinese middle school students (50.1% girls; Mage at Wave 1 = 13.81 years) completed self-report questionnaires regarding identity confusion, alienation, and NSSI at three time points (called T1, T2, and T3), with 6-month intervals. The random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) was employed to separate between- and within-person effects, and to test the mediation role of alienation in the reciprocal relations between identity confusion and adolescent NSSI. Moreover, the multi-group RI-CLPM was used to test the gender differences in the associations among identity confusion, alienation, and NSSI. Results showed that identity confusion and NSSI were mutually reinforcing at the within-person level when controlling for between-person effects. Specifically, initial NSSI significantly and positively predicted T2 identity confusion, which in turn significantly positively predicted T3 NSSI. T2 NSSI also positively predicted T3 identity confusion. More importantly, T2 alienation longitudinally mediated the association between T1 NSSI and T3 identity confusion. These associations among identity confusion, alienation, and NSSI did not differ between genders. This study found that alienation played a unidirectional mediating role in the association between NSSI and identity confusion, and this pattern is consistent across genders. This finding indicates that identity in Chinese culture has a “relational” quality, and identity confusion among Chinese adolescents does not necessarily lead to maladaptive behaviors (e.g., NSSI). Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of developing a healthy identity in the prevention and intervention of NSSI. Specifically, schools are encouraged to organize more activities or courses related to personal development, which provide adolescents with ample time and opportunities for self-exploration. This approach, thereby, may help them achieve a greater sense of continuity and integrity in their identities. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The impacts of music training and music sophistication on empathy HUA Shan, JIANG Xintong, GAO Yangzhenyu, MU Yan, DU Yi Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (4): 544-558.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0544 Abstract （4715）   HTML （744）    PDF （1948KB）（6050）       Knowledge map    Music has long been recognized for fostering social bonds, with potential benefits for prosocial behaviors and empathy. Empathy, a key predictor of prosocial behaviors, encompasses both cognitive and affective components, involving the mentalizing and sharing of others’ emotional states. While musical training has been linked to increased empathy and prosocial behaviors, the influence of musical sophistication—a comprehensive measure of musical experience—on empathy is less well understood. Moreover, the specific components and pathways through which musical experience influences empathy remain unclear, with existing research relying largely on subjective measures and lacking objective behavioral evidence. To address these gaps, we conducted two studies using musical training and musical sophistication as indicators of musical experience to explore their impact on trait and state empathy through questionnaires and a behavioral experiment. In Study 1, we examined the relationship between musical training, musical sophistication and empathy in 130 musicians and 121 non-musicians, using standardized measures including the Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index (Gold-MSI) and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Musicians scored significantly higher than non-musicians in cognitive empathy components (Perspective Taking and Fantasy). After controlling for gender, musical sophistication was positively correlated with cognitive empathy components (Perspective Taking and Fantasy) and an affective empathy component (Empathic Concern). Furthermore, after controlling for gender, openness, psychological states (depression, anxiety, alexithymia), and subjective social status, path analysis revealed that musical sophistication directly influenced cognitive empathy (Fantasy), while musical training indirectly influenced it via the mediating effect of music sophistication. Study 2 employed a pain empathy paradigm to assess empathic responses in 59 musicians and 61 non-musicians. Musicians demonstrated a higher alignment between ratings of their own and others' pain when observing others in pain, indicating greater empathy. The musicians' empathic response to pain was serially mediated by music sophistication and Fantasy in cognitive empathy. However, musical sophistication alone did not significantly affect pain empathy when the influence of musical training on musical sophistication was controlled. In summary, both long-term musical training and musical sophistication positively impact cognitive empathy. Specifically, musical training indirectly enhances the cognitive component (Fantasy) of trait empathy by improving musical sophistication, thereby fostering greater empathy for others' pain. In contrast, musical sophistication has a direct and stable relationship with cognitive empathy. These findings support the “social bonding” hypothesis, highlighting music’s role in developing empathy and interpersonal skills. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The impact of narrative information on parochial cooperative and its mechanisms HE Ning, WANG Ziyi, LIN Jiahao, LI Meng, YOU Xuqun Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (4): 513-525.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0513 Abstract （4570）   HTML （707）    PDF （595KB）（5247）       Knowledge map    Recently, the trend of parochialism is on the rise worldwide. Some countries, regions and organizations engage in parochial cooperation to seek their own short-term gains at the cost of long-term interests of other groups and even all humankind. How to reduce parochial cooperation has become a significant concern both in academia and in policy-making. Narrative information is defined as descriptions of a series of related events or experiences in words through a narrative. Numerous studies have found that narrative information can effectively mitigate parochial empathy and parochial altruism. Thus, this study predicts that narrative information would attenuate parochial cooperation, and further explores its mechanism in terms of perceived similarity. In addition, because groups are typically embedded within more complex relational networks, the context of intergroup relation is introduced to examine its possible moderating effects. In three studies utilizing behavioral experiments and questionnaire surveys based on the minimal group paradigm, narrative information was categorized as viewpoint-related narrative information, which depicts the mental state of the main character of the story, and event-related narrative information, which depicts the objective situations in which the event occurs. Study 1 (N = 37) examined the effects of narrative information on parochial cooperation behavior through the Public Goods Game (PGG). Study 2 (N = 40) adopted the Intergroup Parochial and Universal Cooperation game (IPUC) to investigate the effects of narrative information on three types of cooperation behavior: strong parochial cooperation, weak parochial cooperation and universal cooperation, and examined the mediating role of perceived similarity between narrative information and parochial cooperation behavior. Study 3 (N = 80) manipulated intergroup relation as cooperation versus competition to explore its moderating effect on the link between narrative information and parochial cooperation behavior. The results of the studies supported the following conclusions. (1) Viewpoint-related narrative information significantly reduces parochial cooperative behavior more than event-related narrative information. (2) Perceived similarity full mediated the link between narrative information and strong parochial cooperative behavior. Specifically, compared to event-related narrative information, viewpoint-related narrative information elicited a higher level of perceived similarity in participants, which consequently inhibited strong parochial cooperative behavior. (3) Intergroup relation played a moderating role in the causal link between narrative information and parochial cooperative behavior, and also played a moderating role between narrative information and strong parochial cooperative behavior. In particular, in the context of cooperation, narrative information exhibited no significant effect on parochial cooperation and strong parochial cooperation, whereas in competitive context, viewpoint-related narrative information conversely increased the level of strong parochial cooperation. This study is the first to explore paths to reduce parochial cooperation between groups from the perspective of daily social information exchanges. It provides a new theoretical approach to understanding and enriching the mechanism of parochial cooperation behavior. Moreover, against the backdrop of increasing intergroup conflicts and deglobalization, this study has important implications for promoting intergroup cooperation and boosting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Parental emotional warmth, self-control and adolescent prosocial behavior: The moderating role of multilocus genetic and parental gender differences NIE Yangang, CHEN Pei, WANG Linxin, YU Chengfu, LI Zhenhua Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (4): 599-613.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0599 Abstract （4487）   HTML （486）    PDF （1063KB）（8583）       Knowledge map    Previous quantitative genetic studies have demonstrated that adolescent self-control is influenced by parenting and genetics. In most existing studies, researchers have explored only the impact of the interaction between a single gene and parental factors on adolescent prosocial behaviour, but exploration of the endophenotype mechanism underlying the impact of the interaction between genes and the environment on prosocial behaviour is lacking. According to social cognitive models of prosocial behaviors, sociocognitive and socioemotive traits may be important mediators of environmental and genetic interactions on individual behaviors. In recent years, the single-polymorphism G×E design has been criticized for unreliable findings and difficult replication. As a potential solution, researchers have constructed multilocus genetic profile scores (MGPSs) to explore how environmental factors interact with genetic factors to predict adolescent development. Therefore, this study examined self-control as a mediator of the link between parental emotional warmth and adolescents’ prosocial behavior. Furthermore, this study developed an MGPS composed of five functional SNPs (COMT gene rs6269, HTR2A gene rs6313, OXTR gene rs53576, OXTR gene rs2254295, and OXTR gene rs2254298) and examined whether the MGPS moderates the mediating effect of self-control. Using a 2-time longitudinal design (6 months apart), this study recruited 880 adolescents by cluster sampling at T1 in Guangzhou, China. All adolescents completed questionnaires about parental emotional warmth, prosocial behavior, and demographic characteristics and provided saliva samples for DNA extraction. At T2, 723 adolescents remained in the study and reported their prosocial behavior and self-control. All polymorphisms were genotyped using SNaPshot analysis (Applied Biosystems). After controlling for the baseline levels of prosocial behavior, parental emotional warmth positively and significantly predicted adolescents’ prosocial behavior. Self-control mediated the link between parental emotional warmth and adolescents’ prosocial behavior. Furthermore, the MGPS moderated the mediating mechanism but not the direct impact of parental emotional warmth on adolescents’ prosocial behavior, and the model coefficients were invariant for mothers and fathers. Specifically, the MGPS moderated the effect of parental emotional warmth on self-control such that the effect was stronger in adolescents with higher MGPS than in those with lower MGPS. For adolescents with higher MGPS, parental emotional warmth was related to higher levels of self-control, which in turn increased prosocial behavior. However, this mediating effect was not observed among adolescents with lower MGPS. The results highlight the importance of examining multiple genes and endophenotypic mechanisms to explore the relationship between gene−environmental interactions and adolescents’ prosocial behavior and provide new evidence for the “environment×polygene−endophenotypic−behavior” research framework. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The impact of temporal landmarks on the willingness of conspicuous prosocial behavior KUAI Ling, WEI Haiying, YAO Qi, XIAO Tingwen, XIE Shengcheng Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (4): 526-543.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0526 Abstract （4372）   HTML （643）    PDF （720KB）（4682）       Knowledge map    Conspicuous prosocial behavior refers to prosocial behavior that expresses a positive self-image to others through public display. Previous studies have focused on the impact of individual psychological factors on conspicuous prosocial behavior. However, individuals’ participation in conspicuous prosocial behaviors changes under the influence of contextual factors. Based on self-awareness theory and costly signaling theory, this study explores the mechanism and boundary condition under which the situational factor of temporal landmarks affects the willingness to engage in conspicuous prosocial behavior. Six experiments were conducted to test this study’s hypotheses. Experiments 1a, 1b, and 1c explored the effects of temporal landmarks on the willingness to engage in conspicuous prosocial behavior. Experiment 1a (N = 140, 84 females) employed a 3 (temporal landmarks: start vs. end vs. control, between groups) × 2 (recycling sign: yes vs. no, within groups) mixed experimental design wherein participants were randomly assigned to the start group (6:00~9:00), end group (19:00~22:00), and control group (rest of the day). Experiment 1b (N = 198, 123 females) employed a 2 (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) × 2 (conspicuous: public vs. anonymous) between-subjects design to validate the effect of the start/end of the month on the behavior of publicly donating hematopoietic stem cells. Experiment 1c (N = 195, 117 females) employed a 2 (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) × 2 (conspicuous: public vs. anonymous) between-subjects design to explore the impact of participants’ donation intention and amount on Monday/Friday in the public/anonymous context. Experiment 2a (N = 141, 103 females) employed a single-factor (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) between-subjects design that used conspicuous kindness as an indicator of conspicuous prosocial behavior and measured participants’ situational public self-awareness. Experiment 2b (N = 249, 172 women) employed a 2 (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) × 3 (conspicuous products: prosocial products vs. luxury goods vs. control) between-subjects design to investigate whether temporal landmarks affected conspicuous prosocial or other conspicuous behaviors. Experiment 3 (N = 194, 127 females) employed a single-factor (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) between-subjects design, with both groups completing the experiment on July 1. The difference between the start and end groups was that the former emphasized the beginning of the month, whereas the latter emphasized Saturday. The participants reported their self-monitoring levels, situational public self-awareness, and willingness to engage in conspicuous prosocial behavior. Experiment 1a revealed that individuals preferred to purchase conspicuous prosocial products when initiating start (vs. end) temporal landmarks. Experiment 1b indicated that participants in the start group (end group) were more willing to leave an e-mail to make an appointment to donate hematopoietic stem cells under the public (anonymous) condition. Experiment 1c demonstrated that at the beginning of a period, participants were more likely to make charitable donations and give higher amounts when the donors’ names were disclosed. Experiment 2a illustrated that the above effects were driven by situational public self-awareness. The beginning of a period motivated participants’ public self-awareness, making them more inclined to engage in conspicuous prosocial behaviors. Experiment 2b indicated that the start temporal effect existed only for conspicuous prosocial goods (vs. luxury goods vs. control condition). Experiment 3 examined the moderating role of self-monitoring levels. Individuals with high self-monitoring were more inclined to engage in conspicuous prosocial behavior at the beginning (vs. end) of a period, whereas, for individuals with low self-monitoring levels, temporal landmarks did not effectively influence their conspicuous prosocial behavior. This study reveals the relationship between temporal landmarks and conspicuous prosocial behavior, which has theoretical implications for the literature on temporal landmarks and conspicuous prosocial behavior as well as provides practical guidance for marketing managers to encourage individuals to engage in prosocial actions corresponding to temporal landmarks. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The influence of positive emotion with varying intensities of approach motivation on false memory and its neural mechanisms: A study based on semantic-related false memory ZHANG Huan, QIN Xiquan, LIU Yu, LIN Lin, WU Jie Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (3): 349-362.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0349 Abstract （4065）   HTML （907）    PDF （6269KB）（6065）       Knowledge map    Emotions can influence false memories, with previous studies showing that positive emotions particularly affect the formation of false memories related to semantic relevance. Most researchers agree that false memories are more likely under positive emotions. However, existing studies have focused mainly on valence and arousal dimensions, often neglecting the role of intrinsic motivation independent of arousal and valence. Consequently, research on how motivation influences false memory from an emotional perspective has been limited. This study employed the expression-posture method to induce different levels of approach motivation in positive emotions. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measured brain activity as participants were randomly exposed to high, medium, and low motivation conditions to avoid sequential effects. The dependent variables were: (1) the false memory rate of critical lures, calculated as the ratio of recalled critical lures to the total number; and (2) the relative variation in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) levels during the learning phase across different experimental conditions. The goal was to explore changes in oxygenated hemoglobin in the cerebral cortex and their effect on false memory related to semantic relevance, as participants encountered DRM vocabulary under different levels of positive emotion motivation. Results showed that participants exhibited false memories under positive emotional motivation, with the highest false memory rate occurring in the high motivation condition. The false memory rate was significantly higher in the high and medium motivation conditions compared to the low motivation condition. Brain imaging revealed significant activation in the left frontal and temporal lobes across all conditions, with the greatest activation observed under high motivation. Correlation analysis showed that activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus and temporal lobe was positively correlated with false memory rates under high motivation. In contrast, under low motivation, activation in the left inferior temporal gyrus was negatively correlated with false memory. Linear regression further highlighted the critical role of this region in generating false memories. In summary, these findings suggest that positive emotions with varying levels of approach motivation differently influence false memory. The results offer valuable insights into the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying how positive emotions with different levels of motivation affect false memory, highlighting the importance of semantic relevance. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Collectivism promotes prosocial justice sensitivity: The role of communal responsibility WU Michael Shengtao, GAO Chenghai, HU Wanying, WANG Ning, PENG Kaiping Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (4): 700-719.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0700 Abstract （4047）   HTML （582）    PDF （1835KB）（6437）       Knowledge map    The previous research on justice was deeply influenced by individualism, which overemphasized the calculation of individual rights and personal interests, while genuine justice dispositions reflect prosocial concerns for others’ suffering rather than self-centered concerns for one’s own interests. As a response to this cultural bias of justice research, the present research focused on the prosocial facets of justice sensitivity (JS) from the observer, beneficiary, and perpetrator perspectives, and examined whether and how prosocial JS was shaped by collectivism related to concern for others, and the moderation effect of reaction perspective and the mediation effect of communal responsibility. Three studies were conducted using a questionnaire survey of cultural traits and an experiment of cultural priming upon human participants, as well as a role play of cultural products like Large Language Models (e.g., GLM-4). Firstly, a survey was conducted to measure collectivist/individualistic traits, prosocial JS, and communal responsibility as well as norm conformity (n = 182, Study 1). Next, collectivism (vs. individualism) was primed via scrambled sentence tasks (n = 155, Study 2) and role playing in GLM-4 (n = 200, Study 3), and then situational collectivism, prosocial JS, communal responsibility, and norm conformity were measured. Regarding the relationship between collectivism and prosocial JS, a repeated-measured MANOVA was used to further test the moderation effect of reaction perspective (observer vs. beneficiary vs. perpetrator), and a simple mediation model was used to test the possible mediation effects of communal responsibility and norm conformity. In Study 1, the results showed that collectivism (but not individualism) was positively related to prosocial JS and its three facets, and this effect was mediated by communal responsibility (but not norm conformity). In Study 2, priming collectivism (vs. individualism) led to greater prosocial JS. Study 3 revealed that GLM-4 playing as the collectivist role, generated higher scores on prosocial JS, compared to those playing as the individualistic role. Moreover, a 2 (culture: collectivism vs. individualism) x 3 (perspective: observer vs. beneficiary vs. perpetrator) repeated-measure MANOVA revealed a significant moderation effect of perspective on collectivism and prosocial JS. In particular, compared to the observer perspective, the effects of collectivism on prosocial JS were stronger in beneficiary and perpetrator perspectives (Studies 2~3). Based on a range of methodological approaches, the current findings demonstrate that prosocial JS is shaped by collectivism, and this effect was mediated by communal responsibility (but not norm conformity) and moderated by reaction perspective, which represents a critical development in the shift of justice research paradigms from a focus on individual rights to communal responsibilities. This research offers insights into strategies for nurturing other-oriented prosocial justice within the complex dynamics of a post-individualism society and the burgeoning era of artificial intelligence. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The influence of the growth mindset of socioeconomic status on academic and career engagement among college students REN Xiaoyun, DUAN Jinyun, ZHANG Qian Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (3): 447-462.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0447 Abstract （3839）   HTML （668）    PDF （821KB）（4285）       Knowledge map    The growth mindset of socioeconomic status (SES growth mindset) refers to the belief that social standing is malleable and can be developed through one’s efforts and practices. Individuals with a strong SES growth mindset tend to have a positive cognition of social class mobility, believing that they have the potential to reach a higher status. In line with implicit theory, the SES growth mindset has strong motivational functions, which may encourage individuals to acquire the resources necessary for improving their social standing. Given that higher education is pivotal for upward mobility, and college students are at a crucial stage in building their status, this research focused on how SES growth mindset influences their academic and career engagement. Drawing on resource scarcity theory, this research further incorporated how SES growth mindset interacts with family subjective SES to determine whether its impact varies among individuals with different SES backgrounds. To address these questions, we conducted two studies. Study 1 used a time-lagged method to investigate the relationships between SES growth mindset and the two types of engagement, as well as the moderating role of family subjective SES. Additionally, Study 1 examined whether time orientation mediated the moderation effect of family subjective SES. Study 2 aimed to test the causal effect of SES growth mindset on academic and career engagement with two scenario-based experiments. In Study 2a, we manipulated the SES growth mindset of participants and then tested their intentions to engage in academic and career tasks. In Study 2b, we further investigated how family subjective SES influences these relationships via time orientation. The results revealed that SES growth mindset has a positive impact on academic and career engagement. The relationship between SES growth mindset and academic engagement was stronger for individuals with a low family subjective SES, while the relationship between SES growth mindset and career engagement was stronger for individuals with high family subjective SES. Moreover, time orientation mediated the moderated effects of family subjective SES. Family subjective SES was positively associated with time orientation. Individuals with low family subjective SES held a near-future time orientation, which enhanced the effect of SES growth mindset on their academic engagement. By contrast, individuals with high family subjective SES have a far-future time orientation, causing the SES growth mindset to have a larger impact on their career engagement. In summary, this research highlights the importance of SES growth mindset in driving individuals’ SES−promoted behaviors, which benefit their academic and career development. Such advantages are also influences by the family subjective SES and time orientation of individuals. Overall, the findings validate and expand the implications of implicit theory and resource scarcity theory, contributing to the understanding of class mobility from the perspective of personal initiative. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Relationships of sleep parameters to internalizing problems in children and adolescents: The moderating roles of grade and negative emotionality XING Shufen, JIA Linlin, YU Meishuo, WANG Kun, GAO Xin Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (8): 1349-1362.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.1349 Abstract （3762）   HTML （495）    PDF （1407KB）（4673）       Knowledge map    Sleep is essential for children’s and adolescents’ physiological, cognitive, and emotional development. However, sleep issues — including sleep deficiency, rhythm disturbance, and sleep irregularity — have become increasingly prevalent public health concerns. Although existing research has demonstrated the detrimental impact of sleep issues on internalizing problems among children and adolescents, several gaps remain in the literature. Specifically, most studies examining the relationship between sleep duration and internalizing problems have focused on linear associations, providing limited insight into non-linear relationships or optimal sleep duration thresholds among children and adolescents. Moreover, findings regarding the effects of sleep rhythm and sleep regularity on internalizing problems have been inconsistent. Furthermore, drawing on the differential susceptibility theory, which posits that individuals vary in their sensitivity to environmental experiences based on personal characteristics, it remained unknown whether these association are influenced by factors such as grade level and negative emotionality. To address these gaps, this study employed daily diary investigation to examine the associations between sleep duration, sleep rhythm (measured as sleep midpoints) and sleep regularity (measured as weekend catch-up sleep) and internalizing problems among children and adolescents, and whether these associations were moderated by grade level and negative emotionality. Participants comprised 3, 197 primary and middle school students from Grade 4 to 9 (mean age 12.33 ± 1.72 years, 49.0% girls). Each participant first completed a daily sleep diary for seven consecutive days to report their sleep-wake patterns, including bedtime and wake time. Nocturnal sleep duration was calculated as the total hours between sleep-onset and wake-up time, and the sleep midpoint was defined as the halfway point between these two times. Weekend catch-up sleep was computed as the difference between weekday and weekend sleep duration. Following the diary investigation, participants self-reported their internalizing problems using the Youth Self-Report (YSR) and negative emotionality using the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire- Revised (EATQ-R). Parents completed a brief survey to provide demographics information. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine effects of nocturnal sleep duration, sleep midpoint and weekend catch-up sleep on internalizing problems, as well as the moderating roles of grade and negative emotionality. The present study revealed three key findings after controlling for demographics information. First, a U-shaped relationship was observed between nocturnal sleep duration and internalizing problems among primary school students with high levels of negative emotionality and among middle school students. The optimal sleep duration threshold is 10.39 hours for primary school students with highly negative emotionality and 9.09 hours for middle school students. Second, a later midpoint of sleep was significantly associated with greater internalizing problems among middle school students with high levels of negative emotionality. Third, a U-shaped relationship was also found between weekend catch-up sleep and internalizing problems among middle school students with low levels of negative emotionality, with the optimal threshold of weekend catch-up sleep is 1.10 hours. In contrast, a positive linear relationship was observed for middle school students with high levels of negative emotionality, indicating that longer weekend catch-up sleep was associated with greater internalizing problems. In summary, the present study highlights the psychological risks associated with suboptimal sleep duration, delayed sleep midpoint, and extended weekend catch-up sleep, particularly in relation to internalizing problems among children and adolescents. These findings not only provide further empirical support for differential susceptibility theory, but also offer practical guidance for developing evidence-based sleep schedules to reduce the detrimental impact of sleep disturbances on the mental health of children and adolescents. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The influence of social reward and punishment on deception YUAN Bo, ZHAO Jingshi, QI Dan, ZHAO Tong, HU Jiaqi Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (9): 1622-1637.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.1622 Abstract （3701）   HTML （1095）    PDF （11991KB）（8082）       Knowledge map    Deception is a complex behavior involving the dissemination of misleading information or the intentional omission of relevant details, conveyed both verbally and nonverbally. While extensive research has explored strategies to mitigate deception, rewards and punishments have emerged as key deterrents. Prior studies have predominantly focused on tangible incentives, such as monetary or token-based rewards and punishments. However, given that deception frequently occurs in interpersonal contexts, social rewards and punishments— eliciting positive or negative emotional responses—may also influence deceptive behavior. Despite this, their precise impact remains unclear. To address this gap, the present study employed three experiments to examine the interplay between social rewards, social punishments, and deception, while also investigating the underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms. Experiment 1 engaged 30 participants in a signaling game (also known as the sender-receiver game) to assess whether social rewards and punishments influence deception in a manner similar to monetary incentives. Experiment 2, involving 60 participants, extended this investigation by incorporating an adapted reputation concern scale to explore reputation concern as a potential mediator. Experiment 3 examined the moderating role of social value orientation (SVO). Participants with different SVOs, identified using the SVO slider measure, were recruited to determine whether social value orientation moderates the effects of social rewards and punishments on deception. Findings from Experiment 1 demonstrated that social rewards and punishments, akin to monetary incentives, reduce deceptive behaviors, with social punishments being more effective than social rewards. Drift-diffusion modeling (DDM) analysis revealed that under conditions of social and monetary rewards and punishments, the drift rate (ν) was significantly lower compared to the condition without incentives, indicating that both forms of incentives promote evidence accumulation favoring non-deceptive behavior. Experiment 2 established reputation concern as a mediator in the relationship between social incentives and deception. Specifically, social incentives heightened reputation concerns, leading to reduced deception, whereas monetary incentives did not have this effect. Experiment 3 identified social value orientation as a moderator: Individuals with a pro-social orientation exhibited heightened reputation concerns in response to social incentives, thereby reducing deception, while this effect was absent among pro-self individuals. Overall, this study confirms that social rewards and punishments effectively reduce deceptive behavior. By elucidating the psychological mechanisms involved and broadening the empirical understanding of social incentives, these findings offer valuable insights into mitigating deception in interpersonal interactions. Future research could further explore the moderating effects of different social contexts or individual differences to more comprehensively understand the boundary conditions under which social rewards and punishments influence deceptive behavior. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Fertility dependence or fertility autonomy? The impact of husbands’ traditional gender role conceptions on wives’ fertility intentions CHEN Sijing, WANG Zhen, YANG Shasha, ZHENG Peng, HE Quan Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (9): 1661-1676.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.1661 Abstract （3405）   HTML （474）    PDF （905KB）（4877）       Knowledge map    Existing literature has extensively examined the relationship between gender role conceptions and fertility intentions, reaching a relatively stable conclusion that more traditional gender role conceptions are associated with stronger fertility intentions. A notable limitation in this body of research, however, is its predominant focus on individuals’ own gender role conceptions, while largely neglecting the influence of their spouses’ beliefs and attitudes. Overlooking this relational aspect may lead to incomplete conclusions. Diverging from previous studies, this paper investigates the relationship between spouses’ gender role conceptions and individuals’ fertility intentions, with particular emphasis on the influence of husbands’ gender role conceptions on wives’ fertility intentions, given that women are primarily engaged in fertility behaviors. The central question of this study is whether fertility dependency exists among married women in China. Specifically, it examines whether husbands’ gender role conceptions exert a stronger influence on their wives’ fertility intentions than the wives’ own conceptions. If this is the case, the study further explores the factors contributing to this dependency and seeks to provide a theoretical explanation for these dynamics. This study utilized data from the 2014 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). After data cleaning, a total of 7, 089 valid participants remained. Core variables were constructed as follows: the outcome variable, representing the wife’s fertility intention, was measured by the desired family size (an integer between 0 and 10). The primary predictor variable, representing the couple’s gender role conceptions, was assessed through four items, such as “Men are career-oriented, and women are family-oriented.” The mean score of these four items served as an indicator of gender role conceptions, with higher scores reflecting more traditional perspectives. Results indicate that fertility dependency is significant, and this finding remains consistent regardless of the different measurement approaches and regression models we employed. Specifically, husbands’ gender role conceptions exert a stronger influence on their wives’ fertility intentions than the wives’ own conceptions; notably, this effect does not occur in the opposite direction. Using data from the CFPS 2022 (N = 555), we further investigated the relationship between husbands’ and wives’ gender role conceptions in 2014 and wives’ near-term fertility plan in 2022. The findings indicate that fertility dependency persists; specifically, husbands’ gender role conceptions in 2014 exhibit a stronger correlation with their wives’ fertility plan in 2022 than the wives’ own gender role conceptions. Furthermore, we examined fertility dependency across different distributions of household decision-making power. The results indicate that fertility dependency is more pronounced among married women whose husbands hold greater authority in five key domains: household expenditures, savings and investments, real estate purchases, child discipline, and major acquisitions. In contrast, when wives have greater decision-making power, fertility dependency diminishes or shifts toward fertility autonomy, highlighting the critical role of household decision-making power in shaping fertility outcomes. Moreover, fertility dependency is not uniformly distributed across time and space. It is particularly evident among women from earlier generations, those with lower educational attainment, rural hukou holders, and residents of central and western China. By contrast, women from later generations, with higher education, non-rural hukou, and living in eastern China exhibit weaker fertility dependency or even fertility autonomy. The findings of this study carry significant theoretical and practical implications. First, the results indicate that a substantial number of married women in China are influenced by their husbands’ gender role conceptions in fertility decision-making. Neglecting the role of husbands’ beliefs may lead to an incomplete understanding of wives’ fertility decisions. Second, this study offers a psychological perspective on gender equality based on gender role conceptions. It suggests that gender inequality is not only reflected in the unequal distribution of economic resources but also in the asymmetric psychological dependence between spouses. Enhancing women’s decision-making power in household affairs can mitigate fertility dependency and promote fertility autonomy. This, in turn, may contribute to broader social progress and support the development of a more harmonious and sustainable society. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The convergence of reciprocity motivation through observational learning: Individual differences and the role of social authority NAN Yu, SUN Donglin, ZHOU Xiaolin, GAO Xiaoxue Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (12): 2083-2099.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.2083 Abstract （3372）   HTML （261）    PDF （1005KB）（5743）       Knowledge map    Previous studies have shown that the reciprocal behaviors of beneficiaries stem from the trade-off between two emotional motivations: gratitude and guilt as communal motivations (internal motivations) that promote reciprocity, while the sense of obligation as an obligation motivation (external motivation) that promotes reciprocity. However, an excessive preference for either obligation motivation (obligation-motivated individuals) or communal motivation (communal-motivated individuals) during reciprocity may lead to negative social effects. What factors can modulate the reciprocal preferences of obligation-motivated and communal-motivated individuals? Whether these factors differentially affect the reciprocity behaviors and underlying emotional motivations of the two types of individuals? Addressing these questions not only helps to deepen our understanding of the dynamic process of human reciprocal behavior but also provides the theoretical bases for individual social decision-making, the formulation of relevant social policies, and the interventions in related issues. To answer these questions, we conducted two behavioral experiments by incorporating an observational learning stage into the previously established interpersonal task of favor-receiving and reciprocity, and applying computational modeling to quantitatively capture individual reciprocal preferences (the relative weight of how obligation and communal motivations contribute to reciprocity). Experiment 1 employed a 2 (testing phase: before vs. after observational learning) × 2 (participant’s emotional motivation preference: communal-motivated vs. obligation-motivated) mixed experimental design, aiming to preliminarily explore the impact of observational learning on the reciprocity behavior and underlying emotional motivations of obligation-motivated and communal-motivated individuals. The results showed that for both types of individuals, observational learning significantly promoted their reciprocal preferences to converge with those of the observed individuals, with a stronger observational learning effect observed in obligation-motivated individuals. Experiment 2 employed a 2 (testing phase: before vs. after observational learning) × 2 (participant’s emotional motivation preference: communal-motivated vs. obligation-motivated) × 2 (the authority of the observed individual: authoritative vs. non-authoritative) mixed experimental design, aiming to further validate the findings of Experiment 1 and explore the boundary conditions of the differences in observational learning effects between the two groups by manipulating the authority of the observed individual. The results replicated the findings and further showed that the observational learning effects on the reciprocal preferences of the two types of individuals were moderated by the authority of the observed individual, with a stronger moderating effect observed in communal-motivated individuals. In summary, for both obligation-motivated and communal-motivated individuals, observational learning can promote their reciprocity behavior and emotional motivations to converge with those of the observed individuals. The sensitivity of the two types of individuals to observational learning differs and is moderated by the authority of the observed individual: obligation-motivated individuals exhibit a stronger observational learning effect and are less moderated by the authority of the observed individual, while communal-motivated individuals show a weaker observational learning effect but are significantly moderated by the authority of the observed individual. This study provides new evidence for understanding the dynamics of reciprocity behavior and provides implications for individual social decision-making, the formulation of relevant social policies, and the interventions in related issues. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Human-AI cooperation makes individuals more risk seeking: The mediating role of perceived agentic responsibility GENG Xiaowei, LIU Chao, SU Li, HAN Bingxue, ZHANG Qiaoming, WU Mingzheng Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (11): 1885-1900.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.1885 Abstract （3333）   HTML （279）    PDF （766KB）（4849）       Knowledge map    Risk decision-making involves choices made by individuals when they are uncertain about future outcomes. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), AI can now assist humans in making decisions. For instance, human drivers and AI drivers cooperate to carry out driving tasks, human doctors and AI doctors can collaborate on medical decisions. Currently, it is unclear how AI affects individuals’ risk decision-making during such collaborations, which is crucial for enhancing the quality of human-AI decision-making. Therefore, studying the impact of human-AI cooperation on individuals’ risk decision-making is essential. In Experiment 1a, a total of 100 participants were recruited from one university. Employing a within-subject design, the independent variable was the partner type (i.e., human-human cooperation, human-AI cooperation, or no partner), while the dependent variable measured individuals’ risk decision-making using the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). In Experiment 1b, a total of 151 participants were recruited from another university and randomly assigned to two conditions: human-human cooperation and human-AI cooperation. As in Experiment 1a, the dependent variable remained the same. To investigate the mediating role of individual agentic responsibility, Experiment 2 recruited 199 participants from a university. This experiment utilized a between-subjects design, with the independent variable being the partner type (i.e., human-human cooperation or human-robot cooperation). Individual agentic responsibility was assessed by measuring the extent to which participants assumed responsibility for their tasks, and the dependent variable was individuals’ risk levels as measured by the BART. Experiment 3 further explored the moderating effect of outcome feedback. Participants received feedback based on their BART performance in Experiment 2, categorized as success or failure, and then assessed their perceived agentic responsibility before completing the BART again. The results of Experiment 1a and 1b showed that participants in the control group (i.e., without cooperation) exhibited the highest risk-taking behavior, while those engaged in human-AI cooperation took greater risks than those in human-human cooperation. Results from Experiment 2 demonstrated that individual agentic responsibility partially mediated the effect of human-AI cooperation on individuals’ risk decision-making. Specifically, participants reported a higher sense of agentic responsibility in human-AI cooperation compared to human-human cooperation, which contributed to increased risk-taking. Experiment 3 revealed that outcome feedback significantly moderates the mediating role of individual agentic responsibility regarding the influence of human-AI cooperation (versus human-human cooperation) on individuals’ risk decision-making. Notably, under success conditions, participants attributed greater responsibility to themselves in human-AI collaboration compared to human-human collaboration. Conversely, under failure conditions, there was no significant difference in responsibility attribution between the two types of collaboration. This research demonstrates that collaboration with AI can enhance an individual's propensity for risk-taking. Moreover, the influence of human-AI cooperation, compared to human-human cooperation, on individuals’ risk decision-making is mediated by a sense of individual agentic responsibility and moderated by outcome feedback. These findings offer significant theoretical insights. Furthermore, this study holds substantial practical implications by aiding individuals in understanding how collaboration with AI impacts their risk-taking behaviors. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The topological structure of adolescents’ internet adaptation: A longitudinal tracking study DONG Wanghao, ZHANG Jie, MENG Sujie, JIA Min, WANG Weijun Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (3): 415-427.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0415 Abstract （3315）   HTML （534）    PDF （1645KB）（4101）       Knowledge map    As the saying goes, “Survival of the fittest”. Nowadays, the Internet has become a critical channel for information acquisition, social interaction, and educational learning. Adolescents’ internet adaptation capabilities must be continuously improved to adapt to this rapidly developing information age. Internet adaptation is inherently a “multidimensional system” encompassing various stages and dimensions. However, there remains a gap in the research exploring the internal topological characteristics and functional mechanisms of internet adaptation. Consequently, this study aims to employ network analysis techniques to elucidate the core characteristics, internal structure, dynamic evolution, and relationships with external variables of adolescents’ internet adaptation through network analysis. This approach will offer a comprehensive framework for understanding adolescents’ successful adaptation in the digital age and provide scientific insights for preventing and intervening in adolescent internet addiction. This study collected all data through paper-and-pencil questionnaires. At Time 1, valid data were obtained from 5783 participants (Males for 37.4%, Mage = 17.20 years, SD = 2.62). Five months later, data from 1235 of these participants were tracked (Males for 38%, Mage = 14.98 years, SD = 1.66). Based on the research objectives, we conducted cross-sectional network analysis, network comparison, and cross-lagged network analysis. All cross-sectional and cross-lagged network analyses were primarily conducted using R (V.4.3.2). Network visualizations were created with the qgraph package (version 1.9.5). The accuracy of edge estimates was assessed by performing 1000 bootstrap iterations to construct 95% non-parametric bootstrap confidence intervals for each edge. In the cross-sectional network of internet adaptation, “Internet curiosity” is the node with the highest strength (1.18). Network comparison results indicate no significant difference in the overall strength between the T1 (3.52) and the T2 network (3.79) (p = 0.120), although the network invariance test result is significant (p < 0.001). The cross-lagged network analysis shows that “Internet self-efficacy” has the strongest out-expected influence (0.60), “Internet learning ability” and “Internet information searching” has the strongest in-expected influence (0.31 & 0.30). Additionally, the cross-lagged network analysis of internet adaptation and internet addiction reveals that “Internet information protection capability” exhibits the strongest outgoing predictive ability. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Adolescent internet adaptation is characterized by its dynamic and staged nature; (2) Adolescents’ internet curiosity plays a multifaceted role in their internet adaptation process: insufficient curiosity can lead to low internet self-efficacy, while excessive curiosity can result in poor internet self-control; (3) Internet self-efficacy has the most significant impact on the overall development of internet adaptation, serving as the “primary driving force”. (4) Internet learning ability and internet information search receive the most internal influence, constituting the main “landing point” of adolescents’ internet adaptation. (5) Internet information protection is the strongest predictor of cross-cluster outgrowth of internet addiction networks, acting as a “guardian” of adolescents’ internet adaptation. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The double-edged sword effect of proactive helping behavior on coworker relationships CHEN Liangyong, CAO Zhonghuai, WAN Wenhai, ZHANG Weiting Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (6): 1083-1097.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.1083 Abstract （3297）   HTML （455）    PDF （559KB）（6309）       Knowledge map    As a common form of interpersonal interaction in organizational settings, proactive helping behavior has a substantial influence on coworker relationships. Investigating this impact is essential with regard to efforts to establish a positive team environment and facilitate healthy organizational development. Researchers have not yet reached a consensus regarding the effects of proactive helping behavior on the relationship between the helper and the recipient, and most studies on this topic have focused exclusively on either positive or negative outcomes. We propose to adopt a dialectical perspective to comprehensively explore the multifaceted effects of proactive helping behavior on coworker relationships. On the basis of affective events theory and the affect theory of social exchange, we consider the interaction effect of proactive helping behaviors and recipients' humility levels on coworker relationships. By identifying recipients' emotional responses, specifically gratitude and ability-based Mianzi stress, as potential mechanisms in this context, we provide a new perspective on the impact of proactive helping behavior on recipients' coworker relationships. We conducted two studies to test our hypotheses. In Study 1, we employed an experience sampling method to conduct a questionnaire survey among employees of several companies in China. The questionnaire survey process included an initial, one-time entry survey as well as daily surveys over a period of two weeks. The final sample included 507 usable observations that were collected from 53 employees. In Study 2, to enhance our ability to draw causal inferences, we conducted a scenario-based experiment. In this study, we recruited 216 full-time workers from companies in southern China. These respondents were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (proactive helping behavior, n = 107) and the control group (no proactive helping behavior, n = 109). The above studies supported our hypotheses. The results showed that the relationship between proactive helping behavior and recipient gratitude was positive when recipients exhibit a high level of humility. Furthermore, for recipients with high levels of humility, proactive helping behavior promoted their coworker relationships by activating their gratitude. However, for recipients with low levels of humility, this indirect effect was not significant. We also found that the relationship between proactive helping behavior and ability-based Mianzi stress was positive when recipients exhibit low levels of humility. In addition, for recipients with low levels of humility, proactive helping behavior inhibited their coworker relationships by eliciting their ability-based Mianzi stress. However, for recipients with high levels of humility, this indirect effect was not significant. The theoretical contributions of this study are as follows. First, this study highlights the 'double-edged sword' effect of proactive helping behavior on coworker relationships, thereby helping researchers understand the effects of proactive helping behavior in a more comprehensive and balanced manner. Second, from the perspective of the affective events theory, this study clarifies the differential emotional reactions of recipients with different humility levels when facing proactive helping behaviors. This enhances our understanding of how proactive helping behaviors influence the process of coworker relationships. Third, we identified the humility trait of recipients as a new “key” to disentangle the differentiated impacts of proactive helping behaviors. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The effect of a social robot on the sharing behavior of 3- to 5-year-old children LI Hui, LIU Siyi, PANG Yi Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (4): 573-583.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0573 Abstract （3281）   HTML （384）    PDF （447KB）（3782）       Knowledge map    Prosocial behavior benefits both individuals and society. Previous research has shown that human observers can influence the prosocial behavior of 5-year-old children. Psychological agency refers to the ability to think, make decisions, possess knowledge reserves, and interact responsively. Prior studies have indicated that the perceived psychological agency of robots affects children's selective trust in them. Based on this background, this study aimed to understand the impact of social robots on children's prosocial behavior in the context of human-robot interaction. Experiment 1 (N = 162), examined the effect of different observer types on preschool children’s prosocial behavior, utilizing a 3 (observer type: human, social robot, none) × 2 (age group: 3 years, 5 years) between-subjects design. The experimenter had all participating children interact with a social robot before administering an animism test. Then, the children were randomly assigned to one of three groups: human observer, social robot observer, and no observer, and participated in an anonymous dictator game to share stickers. After the game, the experimenter asked the children for justifications for their sticker-sharing behavior. Experiment 2 further investigated the effect of different levels of robot psychological agency on 3-year-old’s prosocial behavior. In Experiment 2 (N = 192), the robot's psychological agency was manipulated, such that robots with psychological agency showed the ability to think, make decisions, have knowledge reserves, and interact with others. 3-year-old children were assigned to interact with a social robot with psychological agency or one without psychological agency, as well as a control group. Children in the psychological agency group interacted with a social robot and then took an animism test. Subsequently, the children participated in the anonymous dictator game in front of the robot. The control group children did not interact with the robot and directly participated in the anonymous dictator game. Following, the experimenter interviewed children in each group and recorded the reasons for their sticker-sharing behavior. In both experiments, the experimenter recorded the number of stickers shared by the children after they left. Study 1 found that 5-year-old children shared more stickers (exhibited more prosocial behavior) as compared to 3-year-old children. For 3-year-old children, the number of stickers shared in the human and robot observer conditions was significantly higher than in the no observer condition, with no significant difference between the human and robot observer conditions. Study 2 manipulated the psychological agency of social robots to explore its effect on the prosocial behavior of 3-year-old children. The results showed that 3-year-old children shared more stickers in the presence of a robot with psychological agency compared to the other two conditions. The study also explored the animism tendencies of children toward robots, indicating that 5-year-old children exhibited less animism than 3-year-old children. Furthermore, 3-year-old children attributed more psychological and life-like characteristics to robots with psychological agency as compared to those without. The research confirms that observers influence children’s prosocial behavior and finds that the prosocial behavior of 3-year-old children is affected by the psychological agency of robots. Additionally, this study explores the animism tendencies of Chinese children of different ages toward social robots. These findings provide perspectives and foundations for future applications and research in the field of human-robot interaction. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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The power of confiding: Negative emotional self-disclosure facilitates peer prosocial behavior WANG Shuqi, CHENG Feng, GUO Bing, WANG Qiao, CHENG Xiaojun Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (10): 1762-1776.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.1762 Abstract （3200）   HTML （642）    PDF （1457KB）（5807）       Knowledge map    In response to emotional distress, individuals often turn to confiding—the act of disclosing negative emotions to others—to seek social support and alleviate internal burdens. While confiding offers emotional relief, it may also carry interpersonal benefits, such as enhancing empathy and fostering social bonds. However, little is known about how negative emotional self-disclosure influences prosocial behavior between peers, or what psychosocial mechanisms underlie this effect. Additionally, linguistic cues such as the use of first-person (“I”) versus third-person pronouns (“He/She”) may influence the impact of emotional disclosure by altering how disclosure is perceived and processed. The present study examines whether disclosing or listening to negative emotions promotes prosocial behavior in peer contexts, and how personal pronoun framing moderates this effect. Addressing these questions contributes to a deeper understanding of the social value of emotional expression, particularly in moments of vulnerability that invite connection and support. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 examined the discloser’s perspective, using a 2 (emotional disclosure: negative vs. neutral; within-subject) × 2 (personal pronoun: first-person vs. third-person; between-subject) mixed design. Participants took on the role of the discloser, narrating either negative or neutral emotional experiences in the first-person or third-person to a peer (played by an experimenter). They then reported their prosocial intentions, empathy, and liking toward their peers, and engagement with the disclosure process. Experiment 2 shifted to the listener’s perspective, using a fully within-subject 2 (emotional disclosure: negative vs. neutral) × 2 (personal pronoun: first-person vs. third-person) design. Participants watched videos of peers narrating their emotional (negative or neutral) experiences framed with either first- or third-person pronouns, and then reported their prosocial intentions, empathy, and liking toward the discloser. Both experiments were conducted in controlled laboratory settings with adult participants, using validated self-report measures to assess prosociality. Experiment 1 showed that participants reported significantly greater engagement when sharing negative emotions compared to neutral ones. Importantly, disclosing negative emotions led to increased prosocial behavior, but only in the first-person pronoun condition. The increased prosocial behavior was closely related to the enhanced interpersonal liking and a stronger sense of meaning during the disclosure. No such effect emerged in the third-person condition, indicating that linguistic self-involvement strengthens the social impact of confiding. Experiment 2 found that participants expressed higher levels of prosocial behavior, empathy, and liking after hearing negative (vs. neutral) emotional disclosures, regardless of pronoun type. Crucially, the prosocial gains were closely associated with elevated empathy and liking, suggesting these variables as potential mediators. While the effect of pronoun reference was not significant for listeners, the emotional valence of the disclosure played a decisive role. Together, these findings suggest that confiding—either as discloser or listener—can foster peer prosociality, but the underlying mechanisms may differ: disclosers benefit from personalization (via first-person framing), while listeners respond primarily to emotional authenticity. This study reveals the positive social consequences of negative emotional self-disclosure. For disclosers, using first-person pronouns enhances this effect by increasing the sense of meaning, and interpersonal liking. For listeners, the content of the emotional experience—rather than linguistic framing—drives prosocial responses, which are closely linked to feelings of empathy and liking. These findings contribute to understanding the interpersonal value of emotional expression and offer practical insights into how linguistic and emotional cues can be harnessed to build social support, especially in emotionally challenging situations. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics

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Distinguishing between causality, influence, correlation, and prediction WEN Zhonglin, MA Peng, MENG Jin, WANG Yifan Acta Psychologica Sinica    2025, 57 (6): 1108-1118.   DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.1108 Abstract （3197）   HTML （65）    PDF （422KB）（4411）       Knowledge map    Wen et al. (2024) discussed the following three issues: (1) explaining why it is inappropriate to understand influence relationship between variables as causal or correlation relationship, and then providing the definitions for two terms, influence relationship and influence factor; (2) summarizing several ways to find evidence for justifying the directionality when modeling the influence relationship. (3) categorizing multiple influence factors working together. Ge (2025) questioned Wen et al.’s article as follows: (1) the concept of “influence relationship” is not clearly defined; (2) influence relationship and causal relationship are indistinguishable; (3) one cannot create a new goal just because the means cannot provide causal evidence for the goal of causality; (4) the so-called influence relationship should be called “prediction”. In response to these concerns, the present article offers clarifications and justifications. First, the influence relationship has been rigorously defined by using a “Genus and Differentia” approach in Wen et al.’s paper. The influence relationship can be determined by using logical reasoning and statistical correlation testing. We also explain “correlation”, the genus concept of the influence relationship. Furthermore, any causal relationship is the influence relationship, and the two are equivalent in studies through randomized controlled experiments, whereas in other contexts influence relationship may not necessarily be causal relationship. We provided easily understandable cases where the influence relationship was established but the causal relationship was not. It also presented and explained the status and role of proxy effects in those cases. Beyond experimentation, establishing influence relationships is a suitable goal for investigation and research, which is better than the goal of establishing correlation. In statistics, any “correlation” can be used for “prediction”, and the direction of prediction can differ from the actual direction of the variable relationship. Prediction is essentially statistical inference based on the relationships between variables, but it is not the relationships themselves. Causality, influence, and correlation are all relationships between variables, whereas prediction concerns the application of variable relationships. Therefore, prediction is not an appropriate substitute for influence relationship. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics